Queries over proposed anti-discrimination changes

The WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry says proposed changes to anti-discrimination laws should be tackled through education rather than altering laws.

The Government has released draft legislation which aims to merge and simplify existing laws.

Discrimination on age, race, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity will become grounds for seeking compensation.

The changes would shift the burden of proof onto the accused party which must justify its conduct once a complainant's case is established.

The CCI's Paul Moss says it would be better to tackle the issue with education rather than new laws.

"From our perspective, the issue of discrimination is probably best tackled through cultural change," he said.

"We do have a decent legislation base and really going forward from here and tackling the issue; education rather than legislation would be a better tool."

The Equal Opportunity Commission says the proposed changes would prevent church-run organisations from discriminating against people on religious grounds.

The Commissioner Yvonne Henderson has welcomed the changes.

She says in many states, religious organisations, including aged care facilities, are currently exempt from anti-discrimination laws.

"It's a major step forward in relation to aged care," she said.

"Under this new proposal, if the organisation receives government funding to run that aged care institution then it cannot discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation, or their race or anything else."